The Kay Bojesen Monkey - Between Fantasy Figure and Design Object

The wooden monkey by Kay Bojesen, with its sweet face and light coloured belly, has been transforming children's bedrooms into rainforests since 1951, inducing peaceful dreams. The excellent workmanship and the quality of the wood will delight many a generation of children.

The wooden monkey is a part of the wooden animal collection designed by Kay Bojesen between 1935 and 1957. Today, the Danish company Rosendahl Design Group manufactures the wooden animals in close cooperation with Kay Bojesen's family.

On television, the Kay Bojesen wooden monkey has served as a mascot for nature programs and received a permanent place as a prize on quiz-shows. In 2008, the cheeky little monkey even became the embodiment of Danish design according to design-bible Wallpaper. Together with the other wooden animals by Kay Bojesen, the monkey took its place on the unique threshold between fantasy figure and design object. Full of soul, humour, and craftsmanship, this clever little piece appeals to the inner child in all of us.

A Wooden Monkey with Character

The wooden animals by Kay Bojesen are not only popular in children’s room, but they are also passed down from generation to generation as collector's items or quirky little accessories on shelves. Therefore, the wooden animals are the perfect gift for every occasion: baptisms, birthdays, confirmations, graduations, weddings, anniversaries.

Throughout his life, Bojesen honoured one mantra: good design has to be human, warm and vivid. "It should remind us of a circus", he said, describing his work, of which his wooden animals are considered the most popular.

Kay Bojesen is considered as one of the greatest Danish functionalists with his user-friendly and modern design language. His innocent designs combine form and object, seriousness and fun. Bojesen has the unique ability of bringing wood to life which has made him into an international design icon.

The Production of the Wooden Monkey by Kay Bojesen

A piece of craftsmanship from Denmark: The Wooden Monkey by Kay Bojesen is manufactured in many steps and made of many single parts by hand. The true design icon, which can be found in numerous children’s rooms in the world, is manufactured this way since 1951.

The wooden monkey is one of the most popular wooden figures by Kay Bojesen. The rabbit, dachshund, etc. serve as purist decoration or as high-grade holders of jewelry or pens.

Perfect as a gift for young and grown-up people

The friendly wooden animals by Kay Bojesen are made of various kinds of wood of high-quality. Especially for big occasions, they are perfect to give away and they will accompany the person for a life time.

High-quality designer toys from Denmark

After the birth of this first child, Kay Bojesen began to create the first of his iconic wooden animal figures. The Danish manufacturer Rosendahl produces them, still in close collaboration with the Bojesen family.

"They should remind you of a circus"

Not only in the children’s room, but also in shelves and offices, the wooden animals from Kay Bojesen are meanwhile treasured collector's items that are passed from one generation to another.